Page 85 of My Brother's Forbidden Friend

“Wherever you want to meet.”

The last place I want him to be is here. He’ll probably judge the space. I can only imagine the list of things he would say I need to change.

“Okay, how about a restaurant? When?” I ask.

“The sooner, the better.”

“Well, I’m at the warehouse for Five Seas right now, but I can get back into town in a bit.”

“Do you mind if I come to you?”

What the hell is going on with him?

“There’s a restaurant attached to the marina. It’s casual. We can meet there.” I am not letting him into this warehouse.

“Okay, I’ll be there in an hour for lunch.” He hangs up.

For some reason, I feel uncomfortable about this meeting. It’s as if my intuition knows something is coming, and I might not like it.

I text Chevelle even though I’m sure she’s out on a charter.

Me: My dad just called and wants to meet with me right away.

No response, which I expected. She’s busy working.

Me: I can’t imagine what he wants.

I set my phone on the table, now unable to concentrate on what I was doing before my dad called. For the next hour, I don’t get any work done. I start just to stop and worry if he has something he’ll try to use over me to get me back in the family business. My dad didn’t get to where he is without being a little underhanded.

I’m actually thankful when it’s time to meet him, just so I can get whatever this is over with.

The restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall place that serves great fish, fries and hushpuppies. Not my dad’s style, but then again, he did ask to come my way.

My phone rings right when my hand meets the door. I relax when I see it’s Chevelle.

“Hey,” I answer.

“I’m so glad I caught you. No matter what he wants, remember you’re doing what you love. Don’t let him steer you away from that, okay?”

I smile at how much she sounds like a motivational coach. “I know, and I won’t.”

“Maybe we’re overthinking this. Maybe he wants to mend fences.”

“Yeah, right.”

She’s silent. Probably because she knows as well as I do that the probability of that is slim. “Call me as soon as you finish. I have a break for an hour before a four-hour charter, but I could sneak a few texts if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

“Cam, you’ve got this.”

I nod although she can’t see me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

We hang up as I see my dad park his Range Rover in the lot. Figuring I want to have the pick of where we sit, I walk into the restaurant and take a table by the window. I sit with my back to the wall, so I’m prepared for anything.

The waitress, Bella, greets me first. “Hey, Cam.”

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